Morning Daimoku #1,188 | The Last Swan Festival — Three Daughters Sent Forth, a History Shared with My Grandchildren

October 12, 2026

Good morning. I hope you are all well today. This is Shima from Oubaitori. This is entry #1,188 of my Morning Daimoku — 10,000 Daimoku a Day journal.

TOC

A Full Day at Soka University

Yesterday I was at Soka University in Hachioji, offering greetings from early in the morning. It was a moving day — from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., we enjoyed every moment on campus.

My Daughters Reunite with Their Classmates

With the junior college coming to its close, my second and third daughters had a joyful reunion with their classmates. My wife and I, together with my second daughter’s husband, looked after things so our daughters could talk with as many classmates as they wished. Watching them, we were deeply moved.

A Safe Haven for My Grandchildren

My five grandchildren played with their mothers’ classmates’ children, had balloons made for them by Soka University students, and exchanged greetings with the junior college students. Surrounded by such wonderful people — a true safe haven for the heart — my grandchildren had a wonderful time. That is what I truly feel.

Sending Three Daughters Forth

Though things were hard for us, financially as well, we rented an apartment in Hachioji, far from our home in Ibaraki, and had our daughters live in affiliated student housing. We sent all three of them to the junior college — the 17th, 21st, and 24th classes. I am deeply grateful that we could send them to study under our founder, President Daisaku Ikeda.

It became the starting point of a great history for our family.

A History Shared with My Grandchildren

And on October 11, 2026, my grandchildren saw the days their mothers had spent at this college — devoting themselves to their studies and to campus events. The moment they saw their mothers’ smiles on meeting their classmates, it was as if those days had returned. My grandchildren shared that emotion, and our family made history.

I feel nothing but deep emotion and gratitude for everything.

Bright and Radiant to the Very End

This year, Soka Women’s College comes to its close. It is truly a pity. Yet to the very end, the students seemed to be blossoming brightly, giving their all in that moment.

At this extraordinary moment, ten of us — my wife and I; my second daughter, her husband, and two grandchildren; my third daughter and three grandchildren — were together on the Soka University campus, and made our family’s history.